Device for the adjustment of the side angle of sighting instruments



Feb. 2 1926. I 1,571,177

A. J. AusPnzsR F THE SIDE ANGLE 0F SIGHTING INSTRUHBNTS Filed Marsh 25 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 DEVICE FOR THE ADJUSTMENT 0 Feb. 2,1926. 1,571,117

A. J. AUSPITZER DEVICE FOR THE ADJUSTMENT 0F THB SIDE ANGLE 0F SIGHTING INSTRUMENTS Filed March 25. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet z r @if Patented E,

ALFRED JOHANN A'JSE'ITZER, OF 'lI'UNICl-I, GERMANY.

DEVICE FR THE AEJSTMENT GF SEDE ANGLE OF SIGHTENG INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed March 25, 192i..

To all ifi/tom t may concern:

.Be it known that l, Anni-nin JOHANN Ansrrrznu, citizen ot Austria, residing at lliunich, `Bavaria, Germany, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in llevices :tor the AdJustinent ot the Side Angle of Sighting` Instruments; and I do hereby declare the 'following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a device ior the 'adjustment ot the side-angle of sighting instruments, as used in connection with the sighting of pieces of ordnance or any kind, as guns, catapults etc. and as employed in surveyinginstruments and similar apparatus in which a level forms a portion ot the out/lit, including an index-finger or pointer, similar to that in a miners compass, the said linger to be made to remain in any given position independent ot any position ot the gun or other device on which it is being used.

The object ot-my invention is to provide li'or certain improvements in instruments ot 'the class referred to, as will appear from 'the description hereinafter set forth and ina-de more particularly understood from the drawings herewith in which Figure l is a vertical section through a device, as ierein described and as particularly ernpio'vable in connection with sighting and l ng a gun-barrel, Figure 2 is a top-view o theinstrunient, while F are 3 shows the adjust-ing device in connection with a level, 'as ined in the aiming of a gun-barrel. Fig- 'ule l is a section on the line 11i-B oi' Figure 8. Figure 5 is'a top-view upon the anelnnfage ot' the device. Figure G shows uloher example ot my new construction more particularly referred to and explained hereinbelow, and Figures 7, 8, 9 are detail views oi parts ot the latter, also hereinbelow more partiicularly described' and referred to.

In the apparatus shown in Figure 1, there is an arm or bar 1 projecting from and mounted on the intermedi ate carriage of an ordnance and having in its free end a square hole engageable by a. square body 2 projecting from a horizontal plate 3 et the instrument. The said plate is in the centre shaped Vas bearing l in which is loosely rotatfable the hub of va horizontal disk 5 secured :to the said ,bearing by ,a screw 6, The disk Serial No. 455,565.

5 shows up the usual lateral graduation marks. A vertical shaft-end or spindle is loosely and turnably passed through the said graduated disk 5, bearing l and plate 3. Another horizontal disk 8, carrying the correcting-graduation is keyed unto the axle or spindle 7, close above the disk 5 and there is further provided a loosely rotatable pointer 9, radially extending with its upper end over the disk 8 and adapted to be lirmly secured to the same in any position and by any of the `known devices, whenever it is to follow the revolution of the axle 7. lilith the said axle 7 there is connected a flexible shaft 10 which may be flexible throughout or be in the nature of a so-called Cardan-shaft or other jointed shaft, the word flexible being used in the specification and claims in a broadly inclusive sense. This shaft 10 has its bottom-end attached to and secured in a horizontal disk 11 rotatably mounted in a eylindric box or case 12. The cover 13 of the box 12 has a curved slot 11i through which there is passed and projects a screw-bolt 15 secured to the disk 11. By drawing-on the nut 16 screwed on the bolt 15 the disk 11 may be adjusted and made fast in any position. The box 12 I prefer to be easily detachable and secured to a cross 17 which may be fastened to the ground by sticking the pointed feet 18 into the same. An earth anchorage is thus formed, this term as used herein being a general one covering any means capable of being iixed to the ground.

As thus appears I provide a graduated member movable with the movable object whose side angle is to be adjusted, an adjustable pointer coaeting with said graduated member, an earth anchorage, and flexible connections beween said anchorage and pointer, whereby even sudden and considerable movements of the object such as occur on the recoil of a gun, though altering the relative position of the object and the pointer do not change the direction in which the latter points. This enables a gun to be brought back to its aim after firing by mechanical means and without further sightingA or calculation.

To the plate 3 there is attached the box 19 to contain a transverse level 2O the position of which may be changed by means of a screw 21 acting in union with a corresponding rack 22 through the medium ot a rotatable, but not otherwise movable, hand operated spindle 28. The level is so connected with the disk 5 that when the level, is being adjusted' the disk will be turned in one direction or the other. For this purpose there is attached to the body of the level a vertical pivot 24 which engages in a slot of a lever 26, which in turn engages the disk 5.

By the rigid connection of the disk S with the flexible shaft l() thus secured, which flexible shaft may, if deemed proper, be substituted by a so-called Cardan-shaft or any equivalent permitting;` the revolution of the axle 7 of the pointer 9 independent of the swing' of the lrun-barrel and being extensible at the same time, any desired position of the pointer 9 turnably connected with the ldisk 8 may, by correspondingly changing` the position of the anchorage, b'e achieved.

In order to give the lgun-barrel any desired position or direction, a rough or preliminary adjustment of the lejun barrel may be accomplished by giving' its hand-spike a swing' and then a precise or final adjustment attained by operating the laying' `gear until the pointer 9 is at the desired mark in the side graduation of the disk 5.

Thus in aiming` or layingl the aun the following' proceeding may, for instance, be observed:

Then the gun has been brought in position the anchorage may by any means be into the ground. Thereupon the pointer 9 which may be provided with a diopter, may be loosened and brought in temporary ain'iing-line by sighting` an object as a tree, fence-post or thel like which is in the direc tion of the auxiliary mark or aim, to be determined eithery by the aid of a chart or by taking' the North-South direction as an auxiliary mark-line ascertainable by any ordinary compass. Having' now ascertained the angle of the "line of auxiliary mark of the gun-barrel and the aim of the run by means of a goniometer, or on the chart by means of a protractoi" as used by gunners, it is eas)7 to `@give to the barrel the exact line or direction to the aim by swinging it until the pointer is at the graduation mark desired. i The missile deviating,r to the side of the deeper wheel, whenever the wheels of a field-ordnance are in oblique position to each other, this deviation has to be corrected before the ultimate adjustment to the exact sieht of the aim. This may be termed correcting` for transverse Obliquity. For this purpose the transverse level 20 is to be brought to its proper place and, according'- ly, the disk 5 more or less turned. In this way the lateral angle is increased o1', respectively, reduced by so many degrees or graduation marks as the bullet would deviate owing' to the oblique position of the wheelaXle and wheels.

Taking into account this correction the pointer 9 should, prior to the ultimate precise sighting' adjustn'ient on the side-graduation, be placed at the corresponding mark on the graduation for the correction and then made fast on the disk 8. Yvlhen the pointer 9 has then been set in the proper place on the side-graduation the barrel has been laid or given the exact line with respect to the side and its aiming position duly corrected.

In testing my new device, as herein described, it has been found, however, that in spite of the most careful work the play in the bearings of the joints of the 'liexible shaft or in the joints of a Cardan-shaft would cause inaccuracies in the operation of the instrument and to avoid this is the object of further in'iprovements, about to be described. rthese improvements constitute a part of the device and cooperate specially with the rest of the device to the end stated.

lVhileI the flexible shaft or Cardan-shaft is for this purpose, as heretofore known, composed of members telescopically movable in cach other, one of these members is in my further improved construction so influenced by a springv in the other that in this way the axes of the joints or Cardan-joints are pressed into their bearings and, accordingly, the play in these joints .is thus avoided. i, therefore, connect the lower joint rotatably with the bottom-portion of the shaft to be secured in the ground, thus permitting a parallel adjustment of this bottom-portion in its relation to the axle of the pointer 9.

For a better initier-standing of these improved features I refer to the construction illustrated in Figures (l, 7, 8, 9 hereinabove mentioned which show by way of example the incorporation in this device of a Cardanshaft of special construction composed of the two portions 10', l0 of which l0 is a rod telescopically movable in the tubular socket portion 10 which is by the lower Cardanjoint 27 connected with the bottomportion 25S of the shaft, the said bottom-portion to be stuck into the ground, while the portion l0 is by the upper Cardan-joint 27 connected with the axlel 7. The said portion or rod 10 is provided with a longitudinally curved strip 29 guided in a fork 30 attached to the tube 1Q. ln one ot' the prongs of the fork 30 there is attached thereto a casing; 3l (see Figure 8) in which a spring is inserted which permanently acts against the curved strip 29 and thereby causes a twisting movement of the rod 10 relative to the tube l0. The result is that the axes of the Cardanjoint are pressed-on towards their bearings and thus prevent a play in these joints.

The lower Cardan-joint 27 is turnable about a bolt or pin 33, the turning` being' eifectuated by worm gear Consisting of a llt) screw-wheel segment 34 secured on the bolt and the Worm 35. This permits of a parallel adjustment of the axle 7 relative to the bottom point 28 which adjustment is required to ensure an exact Work of the instrument.

l would add that, as already mentioned, the construction and device, as described, is in addition to its use in connection with the aiming of gun-barrels, applicable also in connection with surveying instruments and in taking levels as required in building above ground and beloiv street level. It is adapted to be-carried by the movable member, Whether permanently a part thereof, or as is ordinarily more convenient, designed for ready removal and replacement.

.lt is n'ianifest that variations and modifications may be made in the features of construction and arrangement in the adaptation of my device to various conditions Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and l therefore reserve the right to any modifications as fall Within the spirit and scope of my said invention and the terms of the following claims.

l/Vhat I claim is:

i. A device for side-angle adjustment con'iprising the combination of a rotatable dish having` lgraduation marks, the said disk being adapted for rigid connection with the object on which it is to be employed, an axle, a pointer thereon coacting with the grad rated disk, and a flexible shaft connet-ted with the axle, and means for securing the shaft to the ground, whereby the object may after movement be reset in a predetermined relation to the'fixed direction indicated by the pointer by again registering the former marl: on the disk with the pointer.

Qfln a device for side-angle adjustment the combination with a rotatable graduated disk, a pointer coacting therewith, an earth anchorage and a fle `ible shaft carrying said pointer and secured to said earth anchorage, of a level, and operative connections betwen said level and disk including a lever, substantially as described and for the purpose mentioned.

il. ln a device for side-angle adjustment the combination with a rotatable graduated dish, and a lefcr operatively connected therewith` of another dish having a similar adualion :id coaxial with the iii-st, an axle on which said second dish is keyed, a pointer loosely turnable on said axle and adjustable on 'the s `id second dish, an earth anchorage, and a flexible shaft carrying said pointer and secured to said anchorage, subn stantially as described and for the purpose mentioned.

4. A device for side-angle adjustment comprising a rotatable disk having a graduation and adapted for rigid connection with the object on which it is to be employed, an axle, a pointer carried thereby coacting` with said dish, a flexible shaft connected with. the pointer and securable in the ground, an anchorage and in combination therewith a swingable rotatable disk adjustable in its several positions of revolution, and to which the bottom end of said flexible shaft is concentrically secured, whereby the object may after movement be reset in a predetermined relation to the fixed direction indicated by the pointer by again registering the former mark on the disk with the pointer.

5.1i device for side-angle adjustment eo iprising in combination a pointer, a. graduated member with which said pointer coacts and 1which is adapted for rigid connection with the object on which it is to be employed, an earth anchorage and a fienibleshaft comprising` two parts telescoping one in the other, one of said parts being connected to said pointer and the other to said anchorageand a spring interposed between said parts and tending to press the axes of the joints against their bearings.

6.1i, device for side-angle adjustment comprising in combination a pointer, a graduated member with which said pointer coacts and which is adapted for rigid cunnection with the object on which it is 'to be employed, an earth anchorage, and a lexible shaft having tivo parts telescopingone in the other, and one of said parts being connected to said'pointeil and the other to said anchorage, one of said parts being a tube having a fork and the other a rod received by the said tube and having an offset strip guided in the forli, and a spring supported in one of the prongs of said fork and acting upon said strip.

Y. A device for side-angle a'ljustment comprising in combination a pointer, a graduated member ivith which said pointer coacts and which is adapt-ed for rigid connection With the object en which Yit is to be employed, an earth anchorage and a ilexible shaft having a rod and a tubular portion, the former telescoping in the latter l and one of said parts being connected to said pointer and the other to said anchor-A age, a bottom-emi and a bottonrend joint rotatably connected with the bottom-end of the shaft, substantially described and for the purpose mentioned.

8. A device for side-angle adjustment comprising?,` in ccii'ibination a pointer, a graduated member with which said pointer coacts and which is adapted for rigid connection with the object on which it is to rbe employed, an earth anchorage, and a flexible shaft having` a roll anda .tubular portion, the rormertelescoping in the latter and one of said parts being connected to said pointer and the other to saidanchorage, a bottom-end ot the shaft, a bottoni-end joint rotatably connected with the said bottom-end, and in combination therewith a bolt-and-worm-gear, substantially as described and for the purpose mentioned.

9. A device tor side-angle adjustment comprising a graduated member adapted t0 be carried by the movable object whose sideangle is to be adjusted, an adjustable pointer co-acting with said graduated member, and means tor insuring that the pointer once it has been given its iinal adjustment shall continue to point in the desired direction notwithstanding movements of said object, said means comprising an earth anchorage, and universally iiexible connections between said anchorage and pointer.

10. A device for side angle adjustment comprising a graduated member adapted to be carried by the movable object whose side angle is to be adjusted, an adjustable pointer co-acting with said graduated member, a second graduated member movable relatively to the lirst and coaxial therewith and with said pointer, and means for insuring that the pointer once it has been `given its final adjustment shall continue to point in the desired direction notwithstandingmovements of said object, said means comprising an earth anchorage, and universally flexible connections between said anchorage and pointer, said second graduated member being also connected thereby with said anchorage.

11. A device for side angle adjustment comprising a graduated member adapted to be carried by the movable object whose side angle is to be adjusted, an adjustable pointer co-acting with said graduated member, means for altering the position of said graduated member to correct for transverse Obliquity of the object, and means for insuring that the pointer once it has been given its iinal adjustment shall continue to point in the desired direction notwithstanding movements of said object, said means comprising an earth anchorage, and universally tiexible connections between said anchorage and pointer.

19,. A device tor side angle adjustment cou'iprising ay graduated member adapted to be carried by the movable object whose side angle is to be adjusted. an adjustable pointer ce-acting with said graduated men'iber. an adjustable level and operative connections between said level and said graduated member, tor altering the position of said graduated member to correct for transverse obliquity ot the object, and means tor insuring that the pointer once it has been given its Final adjustment shall continue to point in the desired direction notwithstanding movements ot said object, said means comprising an earth anchorage7 and universally flexible connections between said anchorage and pointer.

13. A. device tor side angle adjustment separable t'rom the movable object whose side angle is to be adjusted and comprising a graduated member adapted to be rigidly secured to the movable object for movement therewith, an adjustable pointer coacting with said graduated member, and means for insui'ing that the pointer once it has been given its iinal adjustment shall continue to point in the desired direction notwithstanding moven'ients of said object, said means comprising an earth anchorage, and universally tlexible connections between said anchorage and pointer.

111. A device for side-angle adjustment comprising a graduated member adapted to be carried by the movable object whose sideangle is to be adjusted, an adjustable pointer co-acting with said graduated member, and means tor insuring that the pointer once it has been given its linal adjustment shall continue to point in the desired direction notwithstanding movements of said object, said means comprising an earth anchorage, and universally flexible connections between said anchorage and pointer comprising spring means for taking up play in said connections.

15. A device tor side-angle adjustment comprisinga graduated member adapted to be carried by the movable object whose sideangle is to be adjusted, an adjustable pointer co-acting with said graduated member, and means for insuring that the pointer once it has been given its tinal adjustment shall continue to point in the desired direction notwithstanding` movements of said object, said means eomprising an earth anchorage .and a tlexible shaft connecting said anchorage and pointer and having relatively turnable co-axial members and spring means for effecting such turning to take up play.

16. In a device for side angle adjustment, a `graduated member adapted to be secured to the movable object with which the device is to be used, an adjustable pointer coacting with said graduated member, an axle, carrying said pointer and coaxial with said graduated member, and a universally tlexible shaft having one end adapted to be anchored in the ground and the other connected to said axle.

17. ln a device tor side angle adjustment an earth anchorage comprising a base having spurs to grip the ground, a box removablv secured to said base, a disk mounted to swing on its axis in said box, means for securing said disk in adjusted positions, and a tiexible shatt whose lower end is secured concentrically to said disk.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aliix my signature.

ALFRED JOHANN AUSPITZER. 

